Simple pleasures

Every day I take a 45 min walk down a long country road just outside of our neighborhood. I leave our little suburbanite neighborhood and its cropped customization to enjoy the simplicity of wild, overgrown fields and country charm.

Along my walk, I enjoy seeing this yellow Lab named "Buck." When he first ran to greet me, I was a bit alarmed. But, the sense of alarm quickly faded as Buck proceeded to lick my hand and walk beside me on my route. He often follows me home now and then ambles back to his yard soon after.

I look forward to seeing Buck each day along with Mr. Ed the horse. Having lived in the city for the past eight years, I delight in the simple pleasures of a country road. The houses are well spaced and each one has a large plot of land. Some have the makings for a horse pasture while others grow wild and natural. Each one has its own look and homey feel, very different from the cookie cutter homes in many neighborhoods. A golden Lab and a beautiful horse remind me of life's simple pleasures amidst often complex realities.

I missed this natural beauty living in D.C. Concrete buildings and crowded living give way to a hardness. Here, back in my hometown, people yell "howdy" to one another and the simple pleasures are just that, simple. There is a wisdom in the old acronym KISS=keep it simple, sweetie...I thank God for this slow pace of life, the closeness of family, and for the simple, sacramental pleasures of a country road.